African music stars are set to dominate the 2026 FIFA World Cup stage after FIFA confirmed that Nigerian Afrobeats heavyweights Burna Boy, Davido, Rema and Ayra Starr will headline performances and soundtrack collaborations across the tournament.
The announcements mark one of the biggest African music representations in FIFA World Cup history, underlining Afrobeats’ growing global influence ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA confirmed that Burna Boy will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City, while Rema is scheduled to appear at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles. Davido will also headline FIFA’s World Cup countdown concert series in Los Angeles.
The opening ceremony at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on July 11 will feature Burna Boy performing “Dai Dai” alongside Colombian superstar Shakira for the first time.
“Dai Dai. Shakira and Burna Boy will join a star-studded lineup on the global stage at the FIFA World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico City,” FIFA said in a post on Instagram.
FIFA also confirmed additional performers for the ceremony, including Mexican stars Alejandro Fernández, Belinda, Lila Downs, Los Ángeles Azules and Maná, alongside Colombian singer J Balvin, Venezuelan artiste Danny Ocean and South African singer Tyla.
Rema is expected to perform at the opening ceremony in Los Angeles alongside American rapper Future, Katy Perry, Brazilian singer Anitta, South African star Tyla and K-pop sensation LISA.
Davido will also take centre stage in Los Angeles during FIFA’s World Cup countdown concert series on June 10.
“Los Angeles will play host to a high-energy celebration, featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer and Davido, the first artists announced for what promises to be an unforgettable night of music, football and culture,” FIFA said in a statement.
Beyond the live performances, FIFA also unveiled the full Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album, a major multi-track music project featuring artists from across continents, genres and languages.
The 18-track album further places African artistes at the centre of FIFA’s global music strategy for the tournament.
Rema teamed up with LISA and Anitta on “Goals”, while Davido collaborated with Nelly Furtado and Major Lazer on “No Place Like Home”.
Ayra Starr features alongside American rapper Latto on “Show Me”, while Burna Boy joined Shakira on “Dai Dai”.
South African singer Tyla also appears on “Game Time” with American rapper Future, while Jamaican singer Shenseea collaborates with Daddy Yankee on “Echo”.
According to FIFA, the album represents the biggest multi-track music and culture project ever created for a World Cup tournament.
“Featuring a star-studded lineup across 18 tracks, the Official Album reflects the diversity, energy and scale of the upcoming FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the project as a global collaboration designed to unite football fans through music.
“From global superstars to breakthrough voices who are shaping the future of music, the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album features artists from across continents, languages and genres in a project designed to unite fans worldwide through the power of music and football,” Infantino said.
The strong African presence across both the performances and official soundtrack reflects the growing international commercial influence of Afrobeats and African pop culture, which have increasingly become central to major international sporting events over the last decade.
From Burna Boy’s Grammy-winning global rise to Davido’s World Cup performances and Rema’s crossover success, African music has moved from occasional FIFA representation to becoming one of the defining sounds of the tournament itself.
Fans are expected to experience many of the songs live during FIFA’s countdown concerts in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles, as well as opening ceremonies across the three host nations.
African artists have become increasingly central to major FIFA and global football tournaments over the last decade. South Africa’s Freshlyground featured alongside Shakira on “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, one of football’s most successful anthems, while Nigerian singer Davido featured on the official soundtrack for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar with “Hayya Hayya (Better Together).”
Afrobeats stars including Burna Boy, Tems and Wizkid have also performed at major global football events in recent years. Burna Boy headlined the 2023 UEFA Champions League final kick-off show in Istanbul alongside Anitta, while Tems performed at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game halftime show. Wizkid has also headlined several FIFA Fan Festival and international sports entertainment events.
Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album Track List
- Goals – LISA, Anitta and Rema
- Game Time – Future and Tyla
- Illuminate – Jessie Reyez and Elyanna
- Echo – Daddy Yankee and Shenseea
- Por Ella – Los Ángeles Azules and Belinda
- Three Nations – 21 Savage, Nata Cano and French Montana
- No Place Like Home – Major Lazer, Nelly Furtado and Davido
- In the Stars (Remix) – The Rolling Stones
- Show Me – Ayra Starr and Latto
- Mi Mexico Lindo – Alejandro Fernández
- Blessings – Stormzy, Fridayy and Angel
- Energy – Ava Max and BIA
- Lighter – Jelly Roll and Carín León
- Siir Siir – Nora Fatehi, Vegedream and Sanjoy
- Partidazo – Danny Ocean
- Champion – IShowSpeed
- Love Always Wins – Shaggy, Cimafunk and Zema
- Dai Dai – Shakira and Burna Boy
